“With the province continuing to grow and construction projects on the rise we definitely keep very busy,” says Betty Lou Doerksen, Executive Director of OETIM. The provinces latest announcement for infrastructure work reminds employers of the need for skilled trained workers. OETIM helps prepare people by giving them the knowledge and safety training to enter the industry of heavy construction. We train people quickly and effectively in accordance to standards.

“With the current Hydro projects going on, as well as the preparation for Lake Manitoba Diversion we have been delivering a lot of training up north in the Pas, Thompson, and Churchill. Government knows this and is supportive in the training of many workers.”

“There continues to be a great deal of interest in our Heavy Equipment Operator course but you must be accepted to attend,” says Doerksen. Assessments are delivered every month and are free to attend. If accepted, individuals have 8 months in which to attend one of the courses, if they so desire. The Heavy Equipment Operator course is 240 hours (80 hours theory, 160 practical) and is delivered over four to six weeks.

One of the unique things about OETIM is the fact that the majority of the training is not only hands on, but is also on more than one piece of equipment”

“Our students get trained on five separate pieces of heavy equipment”, which Doerksen says is beneficial for both the workers and the companies hiring them. “We do this to make our clients more employable, so they aren’t limited to just having had training on just one piece of heavy equipment.” “There are places out there offering training for a much lesser cost but it’s mainly simulator training and not the real thing,” adds Doerksen.

“We do get some people who have no construction experience what so ever but love heavy equipment and come in and say ‘I’ve always wanted to do this,” Doerksen adds. “We want clients who are looking for a career and would prefer they have some experience in the construction industry.”